Diseases — Influenza

Overview

Influenza is a common airborne bacterial infection in DayZ, typically contracted through cold exposure, drinking from contaminated containers, or being near coughing players. If left untreated, it steadily drains your water and energy levels, eventually leading to rapid health loss and potential death.

How It Works

Influenza enters your system when your immune system is compromised, often by being wet and cold for extended periods. Once contracted, you will start coughing and sneezing, which audibly reveals your location. The disease prevents your health from regenerating effectively and forces your hydration and hunger bars to deplete much faster than normal. The condition is persistent and will not go away on its own until your immune system is boosted or the infection is purged via antibiotics.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Immediately move to a heat source like a fireplace or a stove to dry your clothes and raise your body temperature.
2. Consume a Vitaminbottle to increase your immunity stat, which helps your body fight off the remaining bacterial load.
3. Take a single Tetracyclineantibiotics pill to directly attack the infection.
4. Wait for the pill icon to disappear from your HUD before taking another dose, as taking them simultaneously wastes the medication.
5. Keep your hydration and energy bars in the white (boosted) zone to ensure your natural immune system remains high.
6. Continue to cycle Tetracyclineantibiotics and Vitamins until the coughing and sneezing animations cease completely.

Tips

• Always keep your clothing dry; use a fireplace or stand near a hearth to remove the "damp" status from your gear.
• If you catch influenza, drop or disinfect any water bottles you were drinking from, as they may remain contaminated.
• Do not engage in high-exertion activities like sprinting or melee combat while sick, as this drains your food and water faster.
• Wearing a facemask or a gas mask prevents you from transmitting your illness to other players, though it does not cure your own infection.
• Stay near a well once you are sick, as the increased water consumption will require frequent hydration breaks.

Common Mistakes

• Taking multiple Tetracyclineantibiotics at the same time, which provides no additional benefit and wastes valuable medical supplies.
• Ignoring the "wet" or "cold" status indicators, allowing the immune system to stay suppressed long after the initial infection.
• Eating or drinking while your hands are bloody, which can introduce additional illnesses like Salmonellosis on top of the Influenza.
• Attempting to "wait it out" without medical supplies; once the disease progresses, your health will drop too rapidly to survive without intervention.

Related Items

• Vitaminbottle
• Tetracyclineantibiotics
• Bloodtestkit
• Bloodbagempty

Related Guides

• Cooking
• Firemaking
• Sickness and Immunity